Mold investigated at IEPA headquarters

Flooding at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has created mold problems that could lead to health problems, said a local union representative.

Russ Irwin, president of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1019, said water leaks are an ongoing problem in the building at 1340 N. Ninth St. in Springfield. About eight months ago, mold was found in the walls of the building, a former warehouse converted to offices.

Laura Camper

Flooding at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's headquarters has created mold problems that could lead to health problems, said a local union representative.

Russ Irwin, president of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1019, said water leaks are an ongoing problem in the building at 1340 N. Ninth St. in Springfield. About eight months ago, mold was found in the walls of the building, a former warehouse converted to offices.

An industrial hygienist the union hired analyzed samples of the mold.

“His recommendation was that additional investigation be done and in some areas to go ahead and do abatement,” Irwin said.

The agency did spray fungicide in the affected areas, but damaged drywall has not been replaced because of continuing water problems, he added.

“In the past, (IEPA) has taken pretty significant steps to try to stop water from coming in,” AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall said.

Lindall said the building has been plagued with flooding for five years from multiple sources, including a leaky roof, run-off from the parking lot and most recently, from a backed-up drain hidden in a wall.

IEPA spokeswoman Maggie Carson confirmed that a drain enclosed between two walls caused some flooding. However, Carson said she isn’t aware of any mold problem.

The flooding took place in a training room that is not being used while repairs are being made, she said, adding that glue from the carpet installation leaves a black residue that could be mistaken for mold.

IEPA has worked with the management company, New Frontier Companies, to identify and correct the problem, she said.

“The plan is to replace the carpet with tile,” Carson said. “From the IEPA’s perspective, we’ve identified the problem and fixed the problem.”